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Plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Required for normal branching morphogenesis. Growth factor active on keratinocytes. Possible major paracrine effector of normal epithelial cell proliferation.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein is a potent epithelial cell-specific growth factor, whose mitogenic activity is predominantly exhibited in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Studies of mouse and rat homologs of this gene implicated roles in morphogenesis of epithelium, reepithelialization of wounds, hair development and early lung organogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

This study evaluated the expression of FGF7, AhR, and CYP1A1 in colorectal cancer cells and revealed a new mechanism by which KGF promotes cell proliferation through the AhR-cyclin D1 pathway in colon cancer cells.

Data indicate the key roles played, on the melanosome transfer in normal skin, by KGF/FGF7 released by dermal fibroblasts and by its receptor KGFR/FGFR2b expressed and activated on the epidermal keratinocytes.

KGF expression induced epithelial cell proliferation, reaching a peak level at day 4 and then decreased later, while in the long-term model, KGF expression in the EAC led to middle ear cholesteatoma formation